The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1887-12-14
Judge Not Hastily.
F.. PRENTICE.

Minnie Case was the child of poo
industrious parents. She had few
toys, and little time to play, as be-
mother needed her help. Her play
mate, Susy Town, had many toys, ant
was allowed plenty of time to play
Minnie was allowed occasionally to g
and play with Susie. Tie last tim'
she went, Susie had several new toys
but the one Minnie admired the mos
was horse and carriage, just right fol
the china doll, neatly dressed, sitting
in it. "You may have that" said Su
sic, $50 take hold of this ribbon ant
draw it as much as you like" Minnie
did not tire of drawing it, as some
children tire Of drawing their owr
baby brother or sister. The time pass
ed pleasantly, and both were surprised
when Mrs. Town said, "Minnie's houl
is over" The faithful little girlquick
ly gathered into her basket the toy!
and dolly she had brought, and with
them the horse and carriage, which
she supposed Susie had given her.
On reaching home, she showed the
beautiful toy to her mother exclaim
ing in her delight, "Just see what s
beautiful PRESENT." Her mother wa'
surprised, and being as her neighbor!
said, upright and downright in al
her Dealings" she feared her child hac
made a mistake.
"Did she really give it to you. Min
ME, or only let you play with it?"
"She said I might have it; wasn'
that giving ?" answered the child.
II am not certain, but I am going
to the new store, and you may take
the carriage and run along with me
and we will see what Mrs. Town
says"
They were soon there. Mrs. Town
called Susie, and asked, "Did you give
Minnie this toy, or only let her have
it to play with"
ut was only to play WITH" said
Susie.
Minnie returned the toy, but burst
into tears and ran home, greatly disap'
pointed. Not long after, these two
girls were playing together during re-
cess at school, when they became an.
cry with each other, and Susie called
her friend thief. This was too much
for Minnie, and sharp words followed
ended by Susie's saying, "You stole
my new toy and took it home, and
your mother made you bring it back
to me, and came with you. Now you
know that's true. I'll tell all the
scholars in school you are thief, and
they will believe it,"
So she did, and some believed with
out investigation, as is usual. Years
passed; both resided in the same vii
lage and became young ladies. One
evening a party was given, and Min
ME was one of the guests. During the
evening Miss Ware lost her pocket,
handkerchief. 1t was valuable, she
said, and search and inquiry were
made for it, but in vain. The next
day when Miss Ware went for her les
son in painting, she told her teacher
of the fruitless search, adding, II am
sure Minnie Case has it,"
"Why, Minnie ?" said her teacher.
because she was guilty Of such
things when child. 1 wonder somt
one has not told you, as you are q
stranger here and live next door to the
family"
Just then the door-bell rang and the
wife Of DR.. Gates came in. II came
to see Miss Ware" said she, "to ask
if this is hers,n holding up the miss
ing handkerchief, which was at once
identified by the young lady. | found
it in my husbands pocket" Mrs.
Gates laughingly said. 81 think you
must have dropped it when we werc
looking over the books in the library:
and he mistook it for his. / am glad
| it is found"
Miss Ware returned to the studio,
and her teacher asked quietly. do
you think DR.. Gates stole your hand
kerchief?"
"Of course notW =.
"Supposing Mrs. Case had found il
in Minnie's pocket and returned it?'
Il should have been certain it was
stolen! But I am sorry to have
wronged the girl" e,
Chow much harm is often done by
wrong and hasty judgments" said her
teacher. "DO you remember the
words of the fifteenth Psalm "' and
getting her Bible she read, "Lord,
who shall abide in thy tabernacle
who shall dwell in thy hill? He that
backbiteth not with his tongue, nor
doeth evil to his neighbor, nor taketh
up reproach against his neighbour u
The young lady was ashamed, as
we'll she might be. So was Susie
Town when she heard how nearly her
childish. angry misjudgmeut had
ruined the reputation of her old play
mate.-Advocatc and Guardian.